flap
gb/flˈæp/ us/flˈæp/
B1
English
~ 8300
fedél, zárófül, csapkod, lobog, szárnycsapás, csapkodás, pánik, fejetlenség, pánikol, idegeskedik, fékszárny, lebeny
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] has a flap
She forgot to seal the envelope flap before mailing the letter.
Elfelejtette leragasztani a boríték zárófülét, mielőtt feladta a levelet.
The flap on his backpack pocket wouldn’t close properly.
A hátizsákja zsebének fedele nem záródott rendesen.
Rain was blowing in through the tent flap all night.
The dog’s ear flap was caught on the fence.
The surgeon lifted a small flap of skin to reach the area underneath.
Learner examples
He closed the flap on his bag.
Lehajtotta a táskája fedelét.
Please lift the tent flap so we can go out.
Kérlek, hajtsd fel a sátor bejárati lapját, hogy ki tudjunk menni.
The letter fell out because the envelope flap was open.
The jacket has a flap over each pocket.
She held the ear flap of her hat down in the wind.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "lid" instead of "flap" for soft, flexible covers (e.g., saying "the lid of the envelope" instead of "the flap of the envelope"). Use "flap" for thin pieces of material attached on one side, and "lid" for hard covers like on a box or jar.
Meaning
flexible part that folds over
Collocations
envelope flap
|pocket flap
|bag flap
|tent flap
|flap of skin
|ear flap
Synonyms
cover (More general; not always attached on one side like a flap.)
Antonyms
opening (Refers to the uncovered space that a flap is meant to close.)
Themes
daily life
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A thin piece of something, fixed on one side, that you can lift or close to cover a hole or opening.
A thin, flexible piece of material attached along one side that can be lifted, opened, or closed to cover an opening.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to flap [something] up and down
The bird flapped its wings and took off into the sky.
A madár csapkodott a szárnyaival, és felszállt az égbe.
Laundry was flapping on the line in the strong wind.
A ruhák a nagy szélben lobogtak a szárítókötélen.
He flapped the towel at the smoke detector to stop it beeping.
A loose poster flapped noisily against the wall.
The injured duck tried to flap its wings but could not lift off.
Learner examples
The flag flaps in the wind.
A zászló lobog a szélben.
Birds flap their wings to fly.
A madarak a szárnyukkal csapkodnak, hogy repülni tudjanak.
She flapped the blanket to get the dust out.
The paper flapped when the window was open.
He flapped his arms like a bird.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "shake" instead of "flap" for movement in the air. "Flap" is used when something moves loosely, usually attached at one side or like wings; "shake" is more general and does not suggest this loose, wing-like motion.
Meaning
move loosely back and forth
Collocations
flap its wings
|flap in the wind
|flap the flag
|flap wildly
|flap around
Synonyms
wave (Often suggests a more controlled or intentional motion, while "flap" can sound more loose or uncontrolled.)
Antonyms
still (As a verb, "to still" means to make something stop moving.)
Themes
nature
|movement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move, or make something move, quickly up and down or from side to side in the air.
To move or cause something to move quickly up and down or back and forth in a loose, uncontrolled way, especially in the air.
NOUN
B2
3
szárnycsapás
B2
csapkodás
B2
Usage pattern:
the flap of [something]
With a final flap of its wings, the owl disappeared into the dark.
Egy utolsó szárnycsapással a bagoly eltűnt a sötétben.
The only sound was the gentle flap of the sail in the breeze.
Az egyetlen hang a vitorla halk csapkodása volt a szellőben.
They heard the heavy flap of a large bird passing overhead.
The quiet night was broken by the sudden flap of pigeons taking off.
She woke to the flap of the window blind against the frame.
Learner examples
We heard the flap of a bird’s wings.
Hallottuk a madár szárnycsapásait.
The flap of the flag was loud in the wind.
Hangos volt a zászló csapkodása a szélben.
There was a soft flap as the curtain moved.
With one strong flap, the bird flew away.
The quiet room filled with the flap of the fan belt.
Meaning
a single flapping movement or sound
Collocations
the flap of wings
|with a flap of its wings
|the flap of the sail
|the heavy flap of bird wings
Synonyms
beat (Often used for regular repeated movements (like wings), while "flap" emphasizes the loose, flapping quality.)
Antonyms
stillness (Refers to the absence of movement or sound that a flap would create.)
Themes
nature
|sound
|core_vocabulary
Definition
One movement when something like a wing or cloth flaps, or the sound it makes.
A single movement of something such as a wing or cloth moving loosely back and forth, or the sound produced by this movement.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
4
pánik
B1
fejetlenség
B2
Usage pattern:
in a flap about [something]
She was in a real flap about missing her train.
Teljes pánikban volt amiatt, hogy lekési a vonatát.
There was quite a flap in the office when the system went down.
Elég nagy pánik tört ki az irodában, amikor leállt a rendszer.
Don’t get into a flap, we still have plenty of time.
The news caused a minor flap among the staff.
He always gets in a flap before giving a presentation.
Learner examples
She was in a flap before the exam.
Pánikban volt a vizsga előtt.
Everyone was in a flap when the lights went out.
Mindenkin eluralkodott a pánik, amikor kialudtak a fények.
Don’t be in a flap; it’s not a big problem.
My mum gets in a flap when guests come.
There was a flap at school when the fire alarm rang.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the physical noun "flap" (like an envelope flap). In this emotional sense, it is usually used in the phrase "in a flap" and talks about feelings or behavior, not a physical object.
Meaning
state of worry or fuss
Collocations
in a flap
|a bit of a flap
|cause a flap
|all in a flap
Synonyms
fuss (Very close in meaning; "flap" often sounds more panicky or confused, especially in British English.)
Antonyms
calm (Describes a relaxed, not-worried state, the opposite of being in a flap.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short time when someone is very worried, busy, or confused, and maybe makes too much fuss about something.
A temporary state of nervous worry, confusion, or excited activity, especially when people are reacting too strongly to a problem.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
5
pánikol
B2
idegeskedik
B1
Usage pattern:
to flap about [something]
Don’t flap, we can sort this out.
Ne pánikolj, meg tudjuk oldani.
She tends to flap whenever something goes wrong at work.
Hajlamos pánikolni, valahányszor valami félremegy a munkahelyén.
He completely flapped in the interview and forgot his answers.
There’s no need to flap about the deadline yet.
I always flap when I can’t find my passport before a flight.
Learner examples
Try not to flap before the test.
Próbálj meg nem pánikolni a dolgozat előtt.
He flapped when he lost his phone.
Bepánikolt, amikor elvesztette a telefonját.
She always flaps when she is late.
Don’t flap; we will be on time.
I started to flap when I could not find my keys.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this verb always means physical movement, like wings or cloth. In this informal emotional sense, "flap" means to panic or get very nervous, usually in British English.
Meaning
panic or become agitated
Collocations
start to flap
|don’t flap
|flap about nothing
|flap under pressure
Synonyms
panic (Stronger and more general; "flap" often sounds a bit less serious and more informal.)
Antonyms
stay calm (Emphasizes remaining relaxed and in control instead of flapping.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To get very worried or upset so that you cannot stay calm or think clearly.
To become very nervous, worried, or confused in a way that stops you from thinking or acting calmly or effectively.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
6
fékszárny
C1
Usage pattern:
[aircraft] lower the flaps
The pilot lowered the flaps as the plane prepared to land.
A pilóta kiengedte a fékszárnyakat, amikor a gép leszálláshoz készült.
You can hear the flaps extend just before touchdown.
Közvetlenül a földet érés előtt hallani, ahogy kinyílnak a fékszárnyak.
With the flaps fully down, the aircraft can fly safely at lower speeds.
The manual explains how wing flaps affect lift and drag.
A warning light came on, indicating a problem with the left wing flap.
Learner examples
The pilot put the flaps down to land.
A pilóta kiengedte a fékszárnyakat a leszálláshoz.
You can feel the plane slow when the flaps come out.
Érezni, ahogy a gép lelassul, amikor kiengedik a fékszárnyakat.
Flaps help the airplane fly slowly without falling.
The wing flaps were checked before the flight.
The flaps are up when the plane is in the air.
Meaning
hinged surface on aircraft wing
Collocations
extend the flaps
|lower the flaps
|retract the flaps
|wing flaps
|flaps down
Synonyms
control surface (A broader technical term; "flap" is one specific type of control surface.)
Themes
technology
|transport
|travel
Definition
A part on an airplane wing that moves down to help the plane take off or land more safely by changing lift and drag.
A moveable, hinged surface on the trailing edge of an aircraft wing that can be extended to increase lift or drag, especially during takeoff and landing.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
7
lebeny
C1
Usage pattern:
to create a skin flap
The surgeon used a skin flap from the patient’s thigh to cover the burn.
A sebész a beteg combjáról vett bőrlebenyt használt az égési seb befedésére.
A local flap was raised to reconstruct the defect on the cheek.
Helyi lebenyt képeztek az orcán lévő szövethiány helyreállítására.
Flap surgery can provide better blood supply than a simple graft.
They planned a rotational flap to close the large wound.
Poor blood flow can cause a surgical flap to fail.
Learner examples
The doctor made a skin flap to cover the wound.
Az orvos bőrlebenyt készített, hogy befedje a sebet.
A flap of tissue was moved to repair his nose.
Egy szövetlebenyt helyeztek át, hogy helyreállítsák az orrát.
Flap surgery helped close the large cut.
The flap stayed alive because it still had blood.
A flap can give new skin to a damaged area.
Meaning
partly detached surgical tissue piece
Collocations
skin flap
|surgical flap
|raise a flap
|rotational flap
|flap surgery
Synonyms
skin graft (Related but not identical; a graft is usually fully removed from its original place, while a flap stays partly attached with its own blood supply.)
Themes
medicine
|health
|body
Definition
A piece of skin or other tissue that a doctor cuts almost free, but keeps alive with blood, and moves to cover a wound or damaged area.
A section of living tissue that is partly detached from the body but still has a blood supply, and is moved to cover or repair a nearby wound or defect during surgery.
Grammar
Dictionary form
flap
IPA
GB/flˈæp/
US/flˈæp/
Syllables & stress
flap (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (flap)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: flap
- Plural: flaps
Verb
- Base: flap
- 3rd Person Singular: flaps
- Present Participle: flapping
- Past: flapped
Word family
Forms
flaps
noun
flapping
verb
flapped
verb
Related words
flappy
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unflappable
adjective
Advanced or less common
unflappably
adverb
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: flapping Verb
- Irregular past: flapped Verb
Expressions
flap about
1/flˈæp əbˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
move or act in a confused way
To move around or act in a confused or disorganized way, often because you are worried or do not know what to do.
Examples
- He just flapped about instead of making a decision.
- People were flapping about in the corridor, not sure where to go.
- Stop flapping about and sit down so we can talk.
flap one's gums
1/flˈæp wˈʌnz ɡˈʌmz/
idiom
informal
talk a lot, often uselessly
To talk a lot, often saying things that are not important or not helpful.
Examples
- He loves to flap his gums but never does any real work.
- They sat on the porch, flapping their gums about old times.
- Quit flapping your gums and get back to the task.
in a flap
1/ˈɪn ə flˈæp/
idiom
informal
very worried or excited
Very worried, busy, or excited in a confused way, usually because something seems to be going wrong.
Examples
- She was in a flap because she thought she’d lost her passport.
- Everyone was in a flap when the power suddenly went out.
- Don’t get in a flap about the interview; you’ve prepared well.